Stretchable display device

ABSTRACT

A stretchable display devices includes a flexible substrate. A plurality of first substrates and a plurality of second substrates are disposed on the substrate. The plurality of first substrates are spaced from each other and the plurality of second substrates, and the plurality of second substrates are spaced from each other. A plurality of connection supports are coupled to the plurality of first and second substrates. Connection lines extend on the plurality of connection supports to form an electrical connection between the plurality of first substrates and the plurality of second substrates. A distance between one of the plurality of second substrates and a corresponding outer one of the plurality of first substrates is greater than a distance between the plurality of first substrates to reduce stress on the plurality of second substrates during bending or stretching of the display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/795,175 filed on Feb. 19, 2020, which claims the priority ofKorean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0048210 filed on Apr. 25, 2019, inthe Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a stretchable display device, and moreparticularly, to a stretchable display device configured to reducestress generated during stretching.

Description of the Related Art

Display devices used for a computer monitor, a TV, a mobile phone, etc.,include an organic light-emitting display (OLED) that emits lightwithout a separate light source or a liquid-crystal display (LCD) thatrequires a separate light source, among others.

As display devices have been increasingly applied to diverse fields suchas a computer monitor, a TV, and a personal mobile device, displaydevices having a large display area and a reduced volume and weight havebeen studied, including stretchable or flexible display devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include a stretchabledisplay device where a distance between a substrate in an active areaand a substrate in a non-active area is increased to reduce stressconcentrated on the substrate in the non-active area and connectionlines during stretching.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include a stretchabledisplay device with a dummy substrate disposed between a substrate in anactive area and a substrate in a non-active area to reduce stressconcentrated on the substrate in the non-active area and connectionlines during stretching.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include a stretchabledisplay device with symmetrically disposed connection substratesconnected to other substrates to reduce the concentration of stress onconnection lines disposed on the edges of the other substrates.

A stretchable display device according to one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure includes: a support substrate including an activearea and a non-active area; a plurality of first substrates on thesupport substrate in the active area; a plurality of second substrateson the support substrate in the non-active area; and a plurality ofconnection supports coupled to each of the plurality of first substratesand each of the plurality of second substrates.

The stretchable display device may further include: a distance betweenan outer one of the plurality of first substrates and a correspondingone of the plurality of second substrates being greater than a distancebetween the outer one of the plurality of first substrates and an innerone of the plurality of first substrates; a plurality of thirdsubstrates disposed in the non-active area, each of the plurality ofthird substrates connected to one of the plurality of second substratesand one of the plurality of first substrates by at least one of theplurality of connection supports; a distance between one of theplurality of second substrates and a corresponding one of the pluralityof third substrates being greater than a distance between thecorresponding one of the plurality of third substrates and acorresponding one of the plurality of first substrates; and a width ofeach of the plurality of third substrates being equal to a width of eachof the plurality of first substrates and less than a width of each ofthe plurality of second substrates.

The stretchable display device may further include: a plurality of thirdsubstrates, a first one of the plurality of third substrates coupled toone of the plurality of second substrates by at least one of theplurality of connection supports, a second one of the plurality of thirdsubstrates connected to the first one of the plurality of thirdsubstrates by at least one of the plurality of connection supports, anda third one of the plurality of third substrates connected to the secondone of the plurality of third substrates by at least one of theplurality of connection supports, the third one of the plurality ofthird substrates connected to one of the plurality of first substratesby at least one connection support of the plurality of connectionsupports; a distance between one of the plurality of second substratesand the first one of the plurality of third substrates being greaterthan a distance between the second one and the third one of theplurality of third substrates; and the distance between the first oneand the second one of the plurality of third substrates being greaterthan a distance between a first one of the plurality of first substratesand a second one of the plurality of first substrates.

The stretchable display device may further include: a plurality of thirdsubstrates, the plurality of third substrates connected to correspondingones of the plurality of first substrates and the plurality of secondsubstrates with the plurality of connection supports, wherein a firstone of the plurality of third substrates has a first width and a secondone of the plurality of third substrates has a second width less thanthe first width; each of the plurality of second substrates including afirst portion spaced from a second portion, at least one of theplurality of connection supports connected to the first portion and thesecond portion, the stretchable display device further comprising afirst gate driver on the first portion, and a second gate driver on thesecond portion; and each of the plurality of first substrates includinga transistor, a planarizing layer on the transistor, and a pad on theplanarizing layer connected to the transistor, the stretchable displaydevice further comprising a connection line on each of the plurality ofconnection supports, wherein the connection line of one of the pluralityof connection supports is coupled to the pad of a first one and a secondone of the plurality of first substrates.

A stretchable display device according to one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure includes: a support substrate; a plurality of firstsubstrates on the support substrate, each of the plurality of firstsubstrates including a transistor, a planarizing layer on thetransistor, and a connection line on the planarizing layer connected tothe transistor; and a plurality of second substrates on the supportsubstrate.

The stretchable display device may further include: a plurality ofconnection supports coupled to the plurality of first substrates and theplurality of second substrates, wherein the connection line of each ofthe plurality of first substrates is on one of the plurality ofconnection supports, wherein the plurality of connection supports arestretchable; the connection line of a first one of the plurality offirst substrates being connected to the connection line of a second oneof the plurality of first substrates; the connection line of the firstone of the plurality of first substrates is connected to a correspondingone of the plurality of second substrates; a first one of the pluralityof connection supports having a sine wave shape and a second one of theplurality of connection supports having an inverted sine wave shape; andeach of the plurality of second substrates including a first portion anda second portion spaced from the first portion with a distance betweenthe first portion and the second portion being equal to a distancebetween a first one of the plurality of first substrates and a secondone of the plurality of second substrates.

The stretchable display device may further include: a plurality of thirdsubstrates, and a plurality of connection supports coupled to theplurality of first substrates, the plurality of second substrates, andthe plurality of third substrates; each of the plurality of secondsubstrates having a first width, a first one of the plurality of thirdsubstrates having a second width, a second one of the plurality of thirdsubstrates having a third width, and each of the plurality of firstsubstrates having a fourth width, the first width being greater than thesecond width, the third width, and the fourth width; the second widthbeing greater than the third width and the third width being equal tothe fourth width; and the second width, the third width, and the fourthwidth being equal.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to theabove-mentioned embodiments, and other embodiments, which are notmentioned above, can be clearly understood by those skilled in the artfrom the following disclosure.

According to the present disclosure, when a stretchable display deviceis stretched, it is possible to reduce stress concentrated on asubstrate in a non-active area and connection lines connected thereto,in one or more embodiments.

According to the present disclosure, when a stretchable display deviceis stretched, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of damage to asubstrate in a non-active area and connection lines due to stress, inone or more embodiments.

According to the present disclosure, connection lines are disposed onthe edges of substrates, and, thus, it is possible to reduce thelikelihood of damage to the connection lines, in one or moreembodiments.

The advantages according to the present disclosure are not limited tothe contents exemplified above, and other advantages are included in thepresent disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a stretchable display deviceaccording to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of an A area of the stretchable displaydevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a sub-pixel ofthe stretchable display device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a portion of a stretchabledisplay device according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a portion of a stretchabledisplay device according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a portion of a stretchabledisplay device according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a portion of a stretchabledisplay device according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a portion of a stretchabledisplay device according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a portion of a stretchabledisplay device according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a sub-pixel ofa stretchable display device according to one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 11A through FIG. 11C are stress simulation images of stretchabledisplay devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure and aComparative Example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages and characteristics of the present disclosure and a method ofachieving the advantages and characteristics will be clear by referringto the embodiments described below in detail together with theaccompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited tothe embodiments disclosed herein but will be implemented in variousforms. The embodiments are provided by way of example only so that thoseskilled in the art can fully understand the content of the presentdisclosure and the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, thepresent disclosure will be defined only by the scope of the appendedclaims.

The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, and the like illustrated inthe accompanying drawings for describing the embodiments of the presentdisclosure are merely examples, and the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. Like reference numerals generally denote like elementsthroughout the specification. Further, in the following description ofthe present disclosure, a detailed explanation of known relatedtechnologies may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subjectmatter of the present disclosure. The terms such as “including,”“having,” and “consist of” used herein are generally intended to allowother components to be added unless the terms are used with the term“only.” Any references to singular may include plural unless expresslystated otherwise.

Components are interpreted to include an ordinary error range even ifnot expressly stated. For example, unless expressly stated otherwise,the ordinary error range is 5% of the stated value. Relative terms suchas “approximately,” “substantially,” “about” when used in conjunctionwith a stated amount, value, number, orientation, or other like valuerefer to an amount, value, number or orientation that is within 5% ofthe stated amount, value, number, orientation, or other like value,unless the context dictates otherwise.

When the position relation between two parts is described using theterms such as “on,” “above,” “below,” and “next,” one or more parts maybe positioned between the two parts unless the terms are used with theterm “immediately” or “directly.”

When an element or layer is disposed “on” another element or layer,another layer or another element may be interposed directly on the otherelement or therebetween.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” and the like are used fordescribing various components, these components are not confined bythese terms. These terms are merely used for distinguishing onecomponent from the other components. Therefore, a first component to bementioned below may be a second component in a technical concept of thepresent disclosure.

In one or more embodiments, a size and a thickness of each componentillustrated in the drawings is illustrated for convenience ofdescription, and the present disclosure is not limited to the size andthe thickness of the component illustrated. In other embodiments, thesize and thickness of the components in the drawings are to scale.

The features of various embodiments of the present disclosure can bepartially or entirely adhered to or combined with each other and can beinterlocked and operated in technically various ways, and theembodiments can be carried out independently of or in association witheach other.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to accompanying drawings.

A stretchable display device may refer to a display device which candisplay images even when it is bent or stretched. The stretchabledisplay device may have higher flexibility than typical display devices.Thus, the stretchable display device can be freely deformed by a user'smanipulation such as bending or stretching of the stretchable displaydevice. For example, when the user seizes an end of the stretchabledisplay device and pulls the stretchable display device, the stretchabledisplay device can be stretched by force of the user. If the user placesthe stretchable display device on an uneven wall surface, thestretchable display device can be bent according to the shape of thewall surface. When the force applied by the user is removed, thestretchable display device can return to its original shape. As such,the stretchable display devices referred to herein are elasticallydeformable under force applied by a user, whereas known display devicestypically exhibit an inelastic or plastic response to force applied by auser.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a display device according to one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, astretchable display device 100 includes a support substrate 110 (whichmay be referred to herein as a lower substrate 110), a plurality offirst substrates 111, a plurality of second substrates 120, a COF (Chipon Film) 130, and a printed circuit board 140.

The lower substrate 110 serves to protect and support various componentsdisposed in the stretchable display device 100. The lower substrate 110is a ductile substrate and may be formed of an insulating material whichcan be bent or stretched. For example, the lower substrate 110 may beformed of silicone rubber such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and anelastomer such as polyurethane (PU), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).Thus, the lower substrate 110 may have flexibility and exhibit anelastic response to force applied by the user. However, the materials ofthe lower substrate 110 are not limited thereto.

The lower substrate 110 is a ductile substrate and can be reversiblyexpanded and contracted. Further, the lower substrate 110 may have anelastic modulus ranging from several MPa to several hundreds of MPa andmay have a stretch failure of 100% or more. The thickness of the lowersubstrate 110 may be from 10 micrometers (μm) to 1 millimeter (mm), butis not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments, the thicknessof the lower substrate 110 may be less than 10 micrometers or more than1 mm.

The lower substrate 110 includes an active area AA and a non-active areaNA surrounding the active area AA. In FIG. 1, the active area AA isindicated with a dashed line, with the non-active area NA extendingaround an entirety of the active area AA.

The active area AA refers to an area of the stretchable display device100 in which images are displayed. In the active area AA, a displayelement and various drive elements for driving the display element aredisposed. The active area AA includes a plurality of pixels including aplurality of sub-pixels. The plurality of pixels are disposed in theactive area AA and include a plurality of display elements. Each of theplurality of sub-pixels may be connected to various lines. For example,each of the plurality of sub-pixels may be connected to various linessuch as a gate line, a data line, a high-potential power line, alow-potential power line, and a reference voltage line.

The non-active area NA refers to an area adjacent to and surrounding theactive area AA. The non-active area NA is formed around the active areaAA. In the non-active area NA, images are not displayed, and lines andcircuits may be disposed. For example, a plurality of pads may bedisposed in the non-active area NA, and the pads may be electricallyconnected to respective ones of the plurality of sub-pixels disposed inthe active area AA.

The plurality of first substrates 111 and the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 are disposed on the lower substrate 110. The plurality offirst substrates 111 are disposed in the active area AA of the lowersubstrate 110, and the plurality of second substrates 120 are disposedin the non-active area NA of the lower substrate 110. In or moreembodiments, the plurality of second substrates 120 in the non-activearea NA are disposed on an upper side, a left side, and a right side ofthe active area AA, but are not limited thereto. For example, in otherembodiments, the plurality of second substrates 120 are disposed on eachside of the active area AA and in yet further embodiments, the pluralityof second substrates 120 are disposed on only one or two sides of theactive area AA. As such, the arrangement of the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 relative to the active area AA can be selected accordingto design.

The plurality of first substrates 111 and the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 are rigid substrates and are independently spaced apartfrom each other on the lower substrate 110. In one or more embodiments,the plurality of first substrates 111 are spaced equidistant relative toeach other on the lower substrate 110 and the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 are spaced equidistant relative to each other on thelower substrate 110. Moreover, a distance between each of the pluralityof second substrates 120 and each of the first plurality of substrates111 may be the same. The plurality of first substrates 111 and theplurality of second substrates 120 may be more rigid than the lowersubstrate 110. That is, the lower substrate 110 may be more ductile andflexible than the plurality of first substrates 111 and the plurality ofsecond substrates 120.

The plurality of first substrates 111 and the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 are formed of a plastic material having flexibility,despite preferably being more rigid than the lower substrate 110. Theplurality of first substrates 111 and the plurality of second substrates120 may be formed of, for example, polyimide (PI), polyacrylate,polyacetate, or other like materials. In one or more embodiments, theplurality of first substrates 111 are formed of the same material as theplurality of second substrates 120, but the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. For example, the first substrates 111 may also beformed of a different material than the plurality of second substrates120.

The plurality of first substrates 111 and the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 have a higher modulus of elasticity than the lowersubstrate 110. The modulus of elasticity refers to an elastic modulusthat is the ratio of the stress applied to a substrate to a deformationcaused by the stress. If the modulus of elasticity is relatively high,the rigidity may be relatively high, meaning that application of higherstress results in less deflection compared to a material with a lowermodulus of elasticity subject to the same stress. Therefore, theplurality of first substrates 111 and the plurality of second substrates120 may be a plurality of rigid substrates having a higher rigidity thanthe lower substrate 110. The modulus of elasticity of the plurality offirst substrates 111 and the plurality of second substrates 120 may be1000 times or more than that of the lower substrate 110, but is notlimited thereto.

In some embodiments, the lower substrate 110 includes a plurality offirst lower patterns and a second lower pattern corresponding todifferent material compositions of the lower substrate. In other words,the lower substrate 110 includes different types of materials indifferent sections of the substrate 110. For example, the plurality offirst lower patterns are disposed in a region of the lower substrate 110corresponding to the plurality of first substrates 111 and the pluralityof second substrates 120. The second lower pattern is disposed in aregion of the lower substrate 110 except the region where the pluralityof first substrates 111 and the plurality of second substrates 120 aredisposed. In other embodiments, the second lower pattern is disposed inthe entirety of the lower substrate 110 of the stretchable displaydevice 100.

In one or more embodiments, the plurality of first lower patterns mayhave a higher modulus of elasticity than the second lower pattern. Forexample, the plurality of first lower patterns may be formed of the samematerial as the plurality of first substrates 111. The second lowerpattern may be formed of a material having a lower modulus of elasticitythan the plurality of first substrates 111. As such, the materialcomposition of different regions of the lower substrate 110 can beselected to be different in order to reduce stress on the lowersubstrate 110 by bending or stretching the lower substrate 110. In otherwords, the material composition of the lower substrate 110 can beselected such that stress is concentrated in more flexible areas (e.g.the second lower pattern) with the more rigid areas (e.g. the firstlower pattern) providing support for the plurality of first substrates111 and the plurality of second substrates 120.

The COF 130 refers to a film including various electrical components,such as integrated circuits, on a ductile base film 131 that isconfigured to supply signals to the plurality of sub-pixels in theactive area AA. The COF 130 may be bonded to the plurality of pads ofthe plurality of second substrates 120 disposed in the non-active areaNA. The COF 130 may supply power voltage, data voltage, gate voltage,etc., through the pads to the respective sub-pixels disposed in theactive area AA. The COF 130 may include the base film 131 and a driveintegrated circuit (IC) 132 and may further include various componentsthereon.

The base film 131 supports the drive IC 132 of the COF 130. The basefilm 131 may be formed of an insulating material. For example, the basefilm 131 may be formed of an insulating material having flexibility.

The drive IC 132 is configured to process data for displaying an imageand a drive signal for processing the data. FIG. 1 illustrates that thedrive IC 132 is mounted by a COF method, but is not limited thereto. Thedrive IC 132 may also be mounted by a Chip On Glass (COG) method or aTape Carrier Package (TCP) method.

FIG. 1 illustrates that a second substrate 120 is disposed in thenon-active area NA on the upper side of the active area AA so as tocorrespond to first substrates 111 in a column in the active area AA. Inother words, each of the second substrates of the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 is aligned with a column or row of aligned firstsubstrates 111. Also, FIG. 1 illustrates that the COF 130 is disposed onthe second substrate 120. However, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. That is, a single second substrate 120 and COF 130 may bedisposed so as to correspond to first substrates 111 in a plurality ofcolumns or rows.

The printed circuit board 140 includes a controller (which may also bereferred to herein as a control unit), such as an IC chip, a circuit, orthe like. Further, the printed circuit board 140 may include a memory, aprocessor, or the like. The printed circuit board 140 is configured totransfer a signal for driving the display elements from the control unitto the display elements. Although FIG. 1 illustrates that thestretchable display device 100 includes three printed circuit boards140, the number of printed circuit boards 140 is not limited thereto andmay more or less than three printed circuit boards 140.

The stretchable display device 100 will be described in more detail withreference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of an A area of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is aschematic cross-sectional view illustrating a sub-pixel SPX of FIG. 2 inadditional detail. FIG. 1 will also be referred to for convenience ofexplanation relative to the larger stretchable display device 100.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the plurality of first substrates 111and the plurality of second substrates 120 are disposed on the lowersubstrate 110. The plurality of first substrates 111 and the pluralityof second substrates 120 are disposed and spaced apart from each otheron the lower substrate 110. For example, the plurality of firstsubstrates 111 and the plurality of second substrates 120 may bedisposed in a matrix form on the lower substrate 110 as shown in FIG. 1and FIG. 2, but are not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of sub-pixels SPX are disposed in theplurality of first substrates 111. As shown in FIG. 2, each of theplurality of first substrates 111 includes three sub-pixels SPX.However, in other embodiments, there are more or less than threesub-pixels SPX per first substrate 111. Further, gate drivers GD aremounted on second substrates 120 located on the left and right sides ofthe active area AA. Put another way, the plurality of second substrates120 located above the active area AA do not include gate drivers GD. Thegate drivers GD may be formed on the second substrates 120 by a Gate InPanel (GIP) method when various components on the first substrates 111are fabricated. Thus, various circuit components, such as varioustransistors, capacitors, and lines, constituting the gate drivers GD maybe disposed on the plurality of second substrates 120. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto. The gate drivers GD mayalternatively be mounted by a COF method, for example.

In one or more embodiments, the stretchable display device 100 includesconnection substrates and connection lines disposed on the lowersubstrate 110 to supply signals to the gate drivers GD on the pluralityof second substrates 120 for driving the gate drivers GD. The connectionsubstrates and connection lines connect the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 on the upper side of the active area AA to the pluralityof second substrates 120 on the left side and right side of the activearea AA. As such, the connection substrates and connection lines may bedisposed between the plurality of second substrates 120 on the upperside of the active area AA and the plurality of second substrates 120 onthe left and right sides of the active area AA.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a plurality of connection supports CS(which may be referred to herein as a plurality of third substrates CSor a plurality of flexible interconnects CS) are disposed between theplurality of first substrates 111 and between the plurality of secondsubstrates 120. Further, the plurality of third substrates CS aredisposed between the plurality of first substrates 111 and the pluralityof second substrates 120. The plurality of third substrates CS connectadjacent first substrates 111 to each other, adjacent second substrates120 to each other, and the first substrates 111 to adjacent secondsubstrates 120. Thus, the plurality of third substrates CS can also bereferred to as connection substrates.

The plurality of third substrates CS may be formed of the same materialas the first substrates 111 or the second substrates 120. In one or moreembodiments, the third substrates CS are formed as one body with thefirst substrates 111 or the second substrates 120, but are not limitedthereto. In other embodiments, the third substrates CS are flexiblesubstrates or films. In yet further embodiments, the third substrates CSare replaced with wires or other conductors.

The plurality of connection supports CS have multiple functions. Forexample, the connection supports CS connect the first and secondsubstrates 111, 120 and provide support for establishing an electricalconnection between the first and second substrates 111, 120 through aconductive layer or wire formed on the connection supports CS, asdescribed herein. Further, the connection supports CS are formed of anelastic material and are structured to stretch, bend, or otherwisedeform when force is applied to the stretchable display device 100. Asshown in FIGS. 1-3, the connection supports CS have a folded,overlapping configuration similar to a wave shape such that theconnection supports CS have a length that is greater than a distancebetween the first and second substrates 111, 120. In some embodiments,the length of the connection supports CS in a straight line is at leasttwo times, three times, four times, or more than the distance betweenthe first and second substrates 111, 120. As such, when the stretchabledisplay device 100 is deformed, the extra length of material and thecomposition of the material of the connection supports CS allows theconnection supports CS to extend and contract relative to the first andsecond substrates 111, 120 while maintaining an electrical connectionbetween the first and second substrates 111, 120. While only twoconnection supports CS are illustrated on each side of the first andsecond substrates 111, 120 in FIGS. 1-3, it is to be appreciated thatembodiments of the present disclosure include more or less than twoconnection supports CS connected to each side of the first and secondsubstrates 111, 120.

Referring to FIG. 2, the plurality of third substrates CS have a wavedor curved shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of thirdsubstrates CS may have a sine wave shape. However, the shape of theplurality of third substrates CS are not limited thereto. For example,the plurality of third substrates CS have a zigzag shape, or theplurality of third substrates CS may have a diamond shape connected tothe first and second substrates 111, 120 at vertices of the thirdsubstrates CS. Still further, the third substrates CS may have a helicalshape. The number and shape of the plurality of third substrates CSshown in FIG. 2 is just an example. The number and shape of theplurality of third substrates CS may be selected according to thedesign. For example, the third substrates CS may have any shape thatallows the third substrates CS to extend and contract relative to thefirst and second substrates 111, 120.

FIG. 3 shows additional details of one of the plurality of firstsubstrates 111 and a sub-pixel SXP on the first substrate 111. Each ofthe plurality of first substrates 111 and sub-pixels SXP may have asimilar structure to the example shown in FIG. 3. A buffer layer 112 isdisposed on the plurality of first substrates 111. The buffer layer 112is formed on the plurality of first substrates 111 to protect variouscomponents of the stretchable display device 100 against permeation ofmoisture (H₂O), oxygen (O₂), and the like from the outside of the lowersubstrate 110 and the plurality of first substrates 111. The bufferlayer 112 may be formed of an insulating material. For example, thebuffer layer 112 may be formed as one or more inorganic layers ofsilicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon oxynitride (SiON),or the like. However, the buffer layer 112 may be omitted depending onthe structure or characteristics of the stretchable display device 100.

In one or more embodiments, the buffer layer 112 may be formed only in aregion corresponding to the plurality of first substrates 111 and theplurality of second substrates 120. As described above, the buffer layer112 may be formed of an inorganic material. Thus, the buffer layer 112may be easily damaged, such as cracked, while the stretchable displaydevice 100 is stretched. Therefore, the buffer layer 112 may not beformed between the plurality of first substrates 111 and the pluralityof second substrates 120, where stress is concentrated duringstretching. In other embodiments, the buffer layer 112 is formed of adifferent material, such as the material of the lower substrate 110, inorder to allow stretching or bending of the buffer layer 112 withoutscratching. The buffer layer 112 may be patterned into the plurality offirst substrates 111 and the plurality of second substrates 120 andformed only on the plurality of first substrates 111 and the pluralityof second substrates 120. In the stretchable display device 100according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, thebuffer layer 112 is formed only in a region overlapping the plurality offirst substrates 111 and the plurality of second substrates 120, whichare rigid substrates. Thus, it is possible to suppress damage to thebuffer layer 112 even when the stretchable display device 100 isdeformed, such as bent or stretched, because the first and secondsubstrates 111, 120 provide additional support to the buffer layer 112during stretching or bending. FIG. 2 further illustrates that the bufferlayer 112 is not disposed between connection lines 180 and the pluralityof third substrates CS. However, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. The buffer layer 112 may also be disposed between theconnection lines 180 and the plurality of third substrates CS.

Referring to FIG. 3, a transistor 150 including a gate electrode 151, anactive layer 152, a source electrode 153, and a drain electrode 154 isformed on the buffer layer 112.

Referring to FIG. 3, the active layer 152 is disposed on the bufferlayer 112. For example, the active layer 152 may be formed of an oxidesemiconductor or may be formed of amorphous silicon (a-Si),polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si), an organic semiconductor, or thelike.

A gate insulating layer 113 is disposed on the active layer 152. Thegate insulating layer 113 serves as a layer for electrically insulatingthe gate electrode 151 and the active layer 152 and may be formed of aninsulating material. For example, the gate insulating layer 113 may beformed as one or more inorganic layers of silicon nitride (SiNx) orsilicon oxide (SiOx), but is not limited thereto.

The gate electrode 151 is disposed on the buffer layer 112. The gateelectrode 151 is disposed to overlap the active layer 152. In otherwords, an outer edge of the gate electrode 151 is spaced inward from anouter edge of the active layer 152 toward a center of the active layer152. As such, the gate electrode 151 may be aligned with the activelayer 152. The gate electrode 151 may be formed of any one of variousmetal materials, for example, molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium(Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper(Cu). Otherwise, the gate electrode 151 may be formed of an alloy of twoor more of the above or may be formed as a multi-layer composition ofany of the above, but is not limited thereto.

An interlayer insulating layer 114 is disposed on the gate electrode151. The interlayer insulating layer 114 serves to insulate the gateelectrode 151 from the source electrode 153 and the drain electrode 154and may be formed of an inorganic material like the buffer layer 112.For example, the interlayer insulating layer 114 may be formed as one ormore inorganic layers of silicon nitride (SiNx) or silicon oxide (SiOx),but is not limited thereto.

The source electrode 153 and the drain electrode 154 are disposed on theinterlayer insulating layer 114 in contact with the active layer 152. Asshown in FIG. 3, the source electrode 153 and the drain electrode 154extend through the interlayer insulating layer 114 and the gateinsulating layer 113 to form an electrical connection with the activelayer 152. In one or more embodiments, the connection between the sourceelectrode 153, drain electrode 154, and active layer 152 is throughcontact holes extending through the interlayer insulating layer 114 andthe gate insulating layer 113. The source electrode 153 and the drainelectrode 154 are disposed and spaced apart from each other on the samelayer, namely the interlayer insulating layer 114. The source electrode153 and the drain electrode 154 are in contact with the active layer 152and electrically connected to the active layer 152. The source electrode153 and the drain electrode 154 may be formed of any one of variousmetal materials, for example, molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium(Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper(Cu). In other embodiments, the source electrode 153 and the drainelectrode 154 may be formed of an alloy of two or more of the above ormay be formed as a multi-layer structure including any of the abovematerials, but is not limited thereto.

Further, the gate insulating layer 113 and the interlayer insulatinglayer 114 may be patterned and formed only in a region corresponding tothe plurality of first substrates 111. The gate insulating layer 113 andthe interlayer insulating layer 114 may also be formed of an inorganicmaterial like the buffer layer 112. Thus, the gate insulating layer 113and the interlayer insulating layer 114 may be easily damaged in anembodiment, such as cracked, when the stretchable display device 100 isstretched. Therefore, the gate insulating layer 113 and the interlayerinsulating layer 114 may not be formed between the plurality of firstsubstrates 111 so as to reduce the likelihood of damage to the gateinsulating layer 113 and the interlayer insulating layer 114. The gateinsulating layer 113 and the interlayer insulating layer 114 may bepatterned into the plurality of first substrates 111 and formed only onthe plurality of first substrates 111.

For convenience of explanation, FIG. 3 illustrates only a drivingtransistor. However, it is to be appreciated that various othertransistors can be selected to be included in the stretchable displaydevice 100. For example, a switching transistor, a capacitor, or thelike can also be included in the stretchable display device 100.Further, the transistor 150 has been described as having a coplanarstructure, but it is to be understood that the transistor 150, as wellas other transistors of the stretchable display device 100 can have adifferent structure, such as a staggered structure or the like.

FIG. 3 further illustrates a gate pad 171 disposed on the buffer layer112. In some embodiments, the gate pad 171 may be disposed on the gateinsulating layer 113. The gate pad 171 transfers gate signals to theplurality of sub-pixels SPX. The gate pad 171 may be formed of the samematerial as the gate electrode 151, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 3, an overcoating layer 115 is formed on thetransistor 150 and the interlayer insulating layer 114. The overcoatinglayer 115 serves to flatten an upper region of the transistor 150 (e.g.,a region above the source electrode 153 and the drain electrode 154) andthus may also be referred to herein as a planarizing layer 115. Theovercoating layer 115 may be formed as one or more layers of an organicmaterial. For example, the overcoating layer 115 may be formed of anacryl-based organic material, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, a passivation layer may be formed between thetransistor 150 and the overcoating layer 115. The passivation layercovers the transistor 150 to protect the transistor 150 againstpermeation of moisture and oxygen. The passivation layer may be formedof an inorganic material and formed as one or more layers, but is notlimited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 3, a bank 116 is formed on a first connection pad 191,a second connection pad 192, a data pad 173, an intermediate pad 172,and the overcoating layer 115. The bank 116 separates adjacentsub-pixels SPX from each other.

The bank 116 is disposed to cover at least a part of the data pad 173and first connection pad 191 adjacent thereto or at least a part of theintermediate pad 172 and second connection pad 192 adjacent thereto. Thebank 116 may be formed of an insulating material. Further, the bank 116may contain a black material. Since the bank 116 contains a blackmaterial, the bank 116 serves to hide lines which can be seen throughthe active area AA. The bank 116 may be formed of, for example, atransparent carbon-based mixture. Specifically, the bank 116 may containcarbon black, but is not limited thereto. The bank 116 may also beformed of a transparent insulating material.

Referring to FIG. 3, the data pad 173, the intermediate pad 172 and alight-emitting diode (LED) 160 are disposed on the overcoating layer115.

The data pad 173 transfers data signals to the plurality of sub-pixelsSPX from the connection lines 180, which serve as data lines. In FIG. 3,the connection lines 180 include a first connection line 181 and asecond connection line 182. The data pad 173 is connected to the sourceelectrode 153 of the transistor 150 through a contact hole formed in theovercoating layer 115. In other embodiments, the data pad 173 is formedon the interlayer insulating layer 114 rather than on the overcoatinglayer 115. The data pad 173 may also be formed of the same material asthe source electrode 153 and the drain electrode 154 of the transistor150, while in other embodiments, the material of the data pad 173 isdifferent from the source electrode 153 and the drain electrode 154.

The intermediate pad 172 transfers gate signals to the plurality ofsub-pixels SPX from the connection lines 180, which serve as gate lines.The intermediate pad 172 is connected to the gate pad 171 through acontact hole formed in the overcoating layer 115, the interlayerinsulating layer 114, and the gate insulating layer 113. Theintermediate pad 172 transfers gate signals to the gate pad 171. Theintermediate pad 172 may be formed of the same material as the data pad173, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 3, a common line CL is disposed on the gate insulatinglayer 113. The common line CL serves to apply a common voltage to theplurality of sub-pixels SPX. The common line CL may be formed of thesame material as the source electrode 153 and the drain electrode 154 ofthe transistor 150, but is not limited thereto.

The LED 160 is disposed on the first connection line 181 and the secondconnection line 182. The LED 160 includes an n-type layer 161, an activelayer 162, a p-type layer 163, an n-electrode 164, and a p-electrode165. The LED 160 of the display device 100 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure has a flip-chip structure in whichthe n-electrode 164 and the p-electrode 165 are formed on one surface ofthe LED 160, as shown in FIG. 3.

The n-type layer 161 may be formed by injecting n-type impurities intogallium nitride (GaN), which has excellent crystallinity. The n-typelayer 161 may be disposed on a separate base substrate which is formedof a light-emitting material.

The active layer 162 is disposed on the n-type layer 161. The activelayer 162 is a light-emitting layer in the LED 160 and may be formed ofa nitride semiconductor, for example, indium gallium nitride (InGaN).The p-type layer 163 is disposed on the active layer 162. The p-typelayer 163 may be formed by injecting p-type impurities into galliumnitride (GaN).

The LED 160 according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure is manufactured by sequentially laminating the n-type layer161, the active layer 162, and the p-type layer 163, then etching apredetermined region, and forming the n-electrode 164 and thep-electrode 165. In one or more embodiments, the predetermined region isa space to separate the n-electrode 164 and the p-electrode 165 and isetched to expose a portion of the n-type layer 161. In other words, asurface of the LED 160 on which the n-electrode 164 and the p-electrode165 are to be disposed may not be flat but may have different levels ofheight along the surface.

The n-electrode 164 is disposed on the etched region, e.g., on theportion of the n-type layer 161 which is exposed by etching. Then-electrode 164 may be formed of a conductive material. Meanwhile, thep-electrode 165 is disposed on the non-etched region, e.g., on thep-type layer 163. The p-electrode 165 may be formed of a conductivematerial. For example, the p-electrode 165 may be formed of the samematerial as the n-electrode 164.

The n-electrode 164 and the p-electrode 165 of the LED 160 areelectrically connected to the connection lines 180 through an adhesivelayer AD. The adhesive layer AD is a conductive adhesive layer and maybe formed by dispersing conductive balls in an adhesive material.Therefore, a pressed region where the conductive balls are electricallyconnected may have conductive properties and a non-pressed region mayhave insulating properties.

Specifically, the n-electrode 164 is electrically connected to thesecond connection line 182 through a second adhesive layer AD2, and thep-electrode 165 is electrically connected to the first connection line181 through a first adhesive layer AD1. However, the present disclosureis not limited thereto. The first connection line 181 may beelectrically connected to the n-electrode 164 and the second connectionline 182 may be electrically connected to the p-electrode 165. In thiscase, the first adhesive layer AD1 and the second adhesive layer AD2 maybe coated on the first connection pad 191 and the second connection pad192, respectively, by inkjet or other methods. Then, the LED 160 may betransferred onto the first adhesive layer AD1 and the second adhesivelayer AD2. After transfer, the LED 160 is pressed and heated to bond thefirst connection pad 191 to the p-electrode 165 and the secondconnection pad 192 to the n-electrode 164. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. The adhesive layer AD may be coatedas a single layer on the first connection pad 191 and the secondconnection pad 192.

As such, the display device 100 according to one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure has a structure in which the LED 160 is disposedon the lower substrate 110, which also includes the transistor 150. Whenpower is supplied to the display device 100, different levels of voltageare applied to the first connection pad 191 and the second connectionpad 192, respectively. The voltages are transferred to the n-electrode164 and the p-electrode 165 so that the LED 160 can emit light.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the connection lines 180 refer to linesthat electrically connect pads on the plurality of first substrates 111or the plurality of second substrates 120. The connection lines 180 aredisposed on the plurality of third substrates CS. In one or moreembodiments, the connection lines 180 have a corresponding shape to theplurality of third substrates CS. In other embodiments, the connectionlines have a different shape than the plurality of third substrates CS.The connection lines 180 generally include connection lines 181, 182,183, 184 described herein.

The connection lines 180 include the first connection line 181, thesecond connection line 182, a third connection line 183, and a fourthconnection line 184 (FIG. 2).

Returning to FIG. 2, the first connection line 181 and the secondconnection line 182 are disposed between the plurality of firstsubstrates 111. Specifically, the first connection line 181 of theconnection lines 180 refers to a line extended in an X-axis directionbetween the plurality of first substrates 111, as shown in FIG. 2. Thesecond connection line 182 of the connection lines 180 refers to a lineextended in a Y-axis direction between the plurality of first substrates111 as in FIG. 2. The third connection line 183 refers to a lineconnecting the plurality of first substrates 111 and the plurality ofsecond substrates 120. The fourth connection line 184 refers to a lineconnecting the plurality of second substrates 120.

In an organic light-emitting display device, various lines such as aplurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines are extended anddisposed between a plurality of sub-pixels. Also, a single signal lineis connected to a plurality of sub-pixels. Therefore, in an organiclight-emitting display device, various lines such as a gate line, a dataline, a high-potential power line, a reference voltage line, etc., arecontinuously extended on a substrate from one side to the other side ofthe organic light-emitting display device, in an embodiment.

However, in the stretchable display device 100 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, various lines formed of metalmaterials, such as a gate line, a data line, a high-potential powerline, and a reference voltage line are disposed only on the plurality offirst substrates 111 and the plurality of second substrates 120. Thatis, in the stretchable display device 100 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, various lines formed of metalmaterials are disposed only on the plurality of first substrates 111 andthe plurality of second substrates 120 and are not in contact with thelower substrate 110. Therefore, the various lines may be patterned anddiscontinuously disposed so as to correspond to the plurality of firstsubstrates 111 and the plurality of second substrates 120.

The connection lines 180 may be formed of a metal material such ascopper (Cu), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or molybdenum (Mo). Theconnection lines 180 may have a metal-laminated structure ofcopper/molybdenum-titanium (Cu/MoTi) or titanium/aluminum/titanium(Ti/Al/Ti), but are not limited thereto.

In the display device 100 according to one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure, pads on the first substrates 111 or the secondsubstrates 120 are connected to the discontinuous lines by theconnection lines 180. That is, the connection lines 180 electricallyconnect pads on two adjacent first substrates 111, two adjacent secondsubstrates 120, or a first substrate 111 and a second substrate 120adjacent to each other. Therefore, the stretchable display device 100according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includethe plurality of connection lines 180 to electrically connect variouslines, such as a gate line, a data line, a high-potential power line,and a reference voltage line on the plurality of first substrates 111and the plurality of second substrates 120. For example, the connectionlines may form an electrical connection between the lines on theplurality of first substrates 111, between the lines on the plurality ofsecond substrates 120, and between the lines on the plurality of firstsubstrates 111 and the lines on the plurality of second substrates 120.

For example, a gate line may be disposed on adjacent ones of theplurality of first substrates 111 in the X-axis direction and the gatepads 171 may be disposed on both ends of the gate line. A plurality ofgate pads 171 on the plurality of first substrates 111 disposed adjacentto each other in the X-axis direction may be connected to each other bythe first connection line 181, which serves as a gate line. Therefore, agate line disposed on the plurality of first substrates 111 and thefirst connection line 181 disposed on the third substrate CS may serveas a single, continuous gate line composed of separate parts. Further,all the various lines, such as a data line, a high-potential power line,and a reference voltage line, which can be included in the stretchabledisplay device 100 may serve as a single line of separate, independentcomponents, as described above, via the connection lines 180 and thelines on the first and second substrates 111, 120.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first connection line 181 mayconnect pads on two first substrates 111 disposed parallel to each otherof the pads on a plurality of first substrates 111 disposed adjacent toeach other in the X-axis direction. The first connection line 181 mayserve as a gate line, a light signal line or a low-potential power line,but is not limited thereto. For example, the first connection line 181may serve as a gate line and electrically connect gate pads 171 on twofirst substrates 111 disposed parallel to each other in the X-axisdirection. Therefore, as described above, the gate pads 171 on theplurality of first substrates 111 disposed in the X-axis direction maybe connected by a plurality of first connection lines 181, which serveas a gate line. A gate signal may be transferred to the gate pads 171via the gate line on the first substrates 111 and the first connectionlines 181.

Referring to FIG. 2, the second connection line 182 may connect pads ontwo first substrates 111 disposed parallel to each other of the pads ona plurality of first substrates 111 disposed adjacent to each other inthe Y-axis direction. The second connection line 182 may serve as a dataline, a high-potential power line or a reference voltage line, but isnot limited thereto. For example, the second connection line 182 mayserve as a data line and electrically connect data pads 173 on two firstsubstrates 111 disposed parallel to each other in the Y-axis direction.Therefore, as described above, the data pads 173 on the plurality offirst substrates 111 disposed in the Y-axis direction may be connectedby a plurality of second connection lines 182, which serve as datalines. A data signal may be transferred to the data pads 173 by the dataline on the first substrates 111 and the second connection lines 182.

Referring to FIG. 2, the third connection line 183 may connect pads onthe plurality of first substrates 111 and the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 disposed adjacent to each other. Specifically, the thirdconnection line 183 may connect pads on first substrates 111 a disposedin an outermost region of the active area AA and corresponding secondsubstrates 120 disposed parallel to each other of the pads on aplurality of outermost first substrates 111 a disposed in the activearea AA and the plurality of second substrates 120. The third connectionline 183 may serve as a gate line or a low-potential power line, but isnot limited thereto. For example, the third connection line 183 mayserve as a gate line and electrically connect pads on an outermost firstsubstrate 111 a and a second substrate 120 disposed parallel to eachother.

Referring to FIG. 2, the fourth connection line 184 may connect pads ontwo second substrates 120 disposed parallel to each other of the pads ona plurality of second substrates 120 disposed adjacent to each other inthe Y-axis direction. The fourth connection line 184 may serve as one ofvarious signal lines for driving the gate drivers GD, a clock line, ahigh-potential power line, or a low-potential power line, but is notlimited thereto. The function of the fourth connection line 184 can beselected according to design.

The first connection line 181 is in contact with side surfaces of theovercoating layer 115, interlayer insulating layer 114 and buffer layer112 disposed on the first substrate 111 and may extend to contact anupper surface of the third substrate CS. Therefore, in one or moreembodiments, the first connection line 181 is in contact with the uppersurface of the third substrate CS. Also, the first connection line 181may be in contact with side surfaces of the buffer layer 112, gateinsulating layer 113, interlayer insulating layer 114 and overcoatinglayer 115 and disposed on the first substrate 111 adjacent thereto.Further, the first connection line 181 and the intermediate pad 172 maybe formed as one continuous body disposed on the first substrate 111,but is not limited thereto. For example, the dashed lines between theintermediate pad 172 and the first connection line 181 indicate that thefirst connection line 181 and the intermediate pad 172 may also beformed as separate components that are connected to each other at thelocation of the dashed line.

Referring to FIG. 2, the second connection line 182 is in contact withside surfaces of the overcoating layer 115, interlayer insulating layer114 and buffer layer 112 disposed on the first substrate 111 and mayextend to the upper surface of the third substrate CS. Therefore, in oneor more embodiments, the second connection line 182 is in contact withthe upper surface of the third substrate CS. Also, the second connectionline 182 may be in contact with side surfaces of the buffer layer 112,data insulating layer 113, interlayer insulating layer 114 andovercoating layer 115 and disposed on the first substrate 111 adjacentthereto. Further, the second connection line 182 may be in contact withand disposed adjacent to the data pad 173 on the first substrate 111,but is not limited thereto. In one or more embodiments, the secondconnection line 182 and the data pad 173 can be formed as single,continuous body. However, in other embodiments, the second connectionline 182 and the data pad 173 are separate components coupled to eachother at the location of the dashed line.

Referring to FIG. 3, an upper substrate US is disposed on the bank 116,the LED 160, and the lower substrate 110.

The upper substrate US supports various components disposed under theupper substrate US. Specifically, the upper substrate US may be formedby coating and hardening a material on the lower substrate 110 and thefirst substrate 111. Further, in one or more embodiments, the uppersubstrate US is disposed in contact with the lower substrate 110, thefirst substrate 111, the third substrate CS, and the connection lines180, including both the first and second connection lines 181, 182.

The upper substrate US is a ductile substrate and may be formed of aninsulating material which can be bent or stretched. The upper substrateUS is a ductile substrate and can be reversibly expanded and contractedand thus exhibits elastic properties. Further, the upper substrate USmay have an elastic modulus ranging from several MPa to several hundredsof MPa and may have a stretch failure of 100% or more. The thickness ofthe upper substrate US may be from 10 μm to 1 mm, but is not limitedthereto. For example, in other embodiments, the upper substrate US has athickness less than 10 micrometers or more than 1 mm.

In one or more embodiments, the upper substrate US is formed of the samematerial as the lower substrate 110. For example, the upper substrate USmay be formed of silicone rubber such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) andan elastomer such as polyurethane (PU), and polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE). Thus, the upper substrate US may have flexibility. However, thematerials of the upper substrate US are not limited thereto and otherflexible and ductile materials are expressly contemplated herein.

A polarizing layer may also be disposed on the upper substrate US. Thepolarizing layer polarizes light incident from the outside of thestretchable display device 100 and suppresses reflection of externallight.

Referring to FIG. 2, the plurality of second substrates 120 have a sizethat is larger than a size of the plurality of first substrates 111, inone or more embodiments. Specifically, each of the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 may be larger than each of the plurality of firstsubstrates 111. As described above, the gate drivers GD may be disposedon the plurality of second substrates 120, respectively. For example, asingle stage of the gate driver GD may be disposed on each of theplurality of second substrates 120. Because the size of various circuitcomponents constituting a single stage of the gate driver GD may belarger than the sub-pixels SPX disposed on the first substrate 111, asize of the second substrates 120 is preferably larger than a size ofthe first substrates 111. For example, a surface area of the secondsubstrates 120 may be larger than a surface area of the first substrates111. However, in other embodiments, the first and second substrates 111,120 are the same size, while in yet further embodiments, the secondsubstrates 120 are smaller than the first substrates 111.

Referring to FIG. 2, a distance DA between the plurality of outermostfirst substrates 111 a disposed in the outermost region of the activearea AA and the plurality of second substrates 120 is greater than adistance DB between the plurality of first substrates 111 in the activearea AA. Specifically, the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 aand the plurality of second substrates 120 may be disposed at the largerdistance DA from each other than the distance DB between the pluralityof first substrates 111.

In one or more embodiments, the plurality of second substrates 120 areformed larger than the plurality of first substrates 111. Due to adifference in size between the plurality of second substrates and theplurality of first substrates, the plurality of second substrates 120contract less than the first substrates 111 according to Poisson'sratio, e.g., in a Y-axis direction, when the stretchable display device100 is stretched. Therefore, overstretching can occur at the edges ofthe plurality of second substrates 120 and parts of third connectionlines 183 connected to the plurality of second substrates. Accordingly,stress may be concentrated on the plurality of second substrates 120 andthe third connection lines 183. Thus, the plurality of second substratesand the third connection lines may be susceptible to damage.

In the stretchable display device 100 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of outermost firstsubstrates 111 a and the plurality of second substrates 120 are disposedat a larger distance DA than the distance DB between the plurality offirst substrates 111. Thus, when the stretchable display device 100 isstretched, stress concentrated on the plurality of second substrates 120and the third connection line 183 is reduced because of the increase inarea corresponding to the distance DA. The plurality of secondsubstrates 120 are larger than the plurality of first substrates 111.Thus, when the stretchable display device 100 is stretched, stress maybe concentrated on the third connection line 183 disposed between theplurality of outermost first substrates 111 a and the plurality ofsecond substrates 120.

In one or more embodiments, the distance DA between the plurality ofoutermost first substrates 111 a and the plurality of second substrates120 is larger than the distance DB between the plurality of firstsubstrates 111. Thus, the size of a region where stress is generated canbe increased, which reduces the stress throughout that area due to theincrease in cross-sectional area of the region corresponding to thedistance DA between the outermost first substrates 111 a and the secondsubstrates 120. For example, the distance DA between the plurality ofoutermost first substrates 111 a and the plurality of second substrates120 may be two times greater than the distance DB between the pluralityof first substrates 111. The length of the third connection line 183disposed between the plurality of second substrates 120 and theplurality of outermost first substrates 111 a of the plurality of firstsubstrates 111 can correspondingly be doubled relative to a length ofthe first connection lines 181. Therefore, the amount of stress on thethird connection line 183 per unit area can be reduced by one half. Whenthe stretchable display device 100 according to one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure is stretched, stress concentrated on theplurality of second substrates 120 and the third connection line 183 istherefore reduced relative to an embodiment where the second substrates120 are spaced from the outermost first substrates 111 a by the distanceDB. Therefore, the likelihood of damage to the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 and the third connection line 183 can be reduced, whichimproves reliability of the stretchable display device 100.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a stretchable displaydevice 400 according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The stretchable display device 400 shown in FIG. 4 issubstantially the same in some respects as the stretchable displaydevice 100 shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 except for a plurality offourth substrates 490 and a plurality of connection lines 480.Therefore, redundant description of similar components will be omitted.The plurality of connection lines 480 generally include connection lines181, 182, 184, 485, 486 described herein.

Referring to FIG. 4, the stretchable display device 400 includes theplurality of fourth substrates 490. The plurality of fourth substrates490 may be formed of the same material as the plurality of firstsubstrates 111 or the plurality of second substrates 120, but are notlimited thereto.

Lines may be disposed in the plurality of fourth substrates 490.Specifically, lines for transferring signals to the sub-pixels SPX fromthe gate drivers GD may be disposed in the plurality of fourthsubstrates 490. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.For example, dummy pixels may also be disposed in or on the plurality offourth substrates 490.

Referring to FIG. 4, the plurality of fourth substrates 490 are disposedbetween the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a and theplurality of second substrates 120. Specifically, one of the pluralityof fourth substrates 490 may be disposed between one of the plurality ofoutermost first substrates 111 a and a corresponding one of theplurality of second substrates 120 aligned with the one of the pluralityof outermost first substrates 111 a. In one or more embodiments, theplurality of fourth substrates 490 are larger than the plurality ofoutermost first substrates 111 a and smaller than the plurality ofsecond substrates 120, but the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. The plurality of fourth substrates 490 may be equal in size tothe plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a and smaller than theplurality of second substrates 120. In further embodiments, theplurality of fourth substrates 490 may be larger than the plurality ofoutermost first substrates 111 a and equal in size to the plurality ofsecond substrates 120.

Referring to FIG. 4, the plurality of fourth substrates 490 areconnected to the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a by afifth connection line 485 and to the plurality of second substrates 120by a sixth connection line 486. The fifth connection line 485 and thesixth connection line 486 may serve as gate lines, light signal lines orlow-potential power lines, but are not limited thereto. For example, thefifth connection line 485 and the sixth connection line 486 may serve asgate lines. Also, the fifth connection line 485 and the sixth connectionline 486 may electrically connect the plurality of fourth substrates 490to the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a and the pluralityof fourth substrates 490 to the plurality of second substrates 120,respectively.

Referring to FIG. 4, a distance DD between the plurality of outermostfirst substrates 111 a and the plurality of fourth substrates 490 may begreater than the distance DB between the plurality of first substrates111. Also, a distance DC between the plurality of fourth substrates 490and the plurality of second substrates 120 may be greater than thedistance DD between the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 aand the plurality of fourth substrates 490. That is, a distance betweensubstrates may gradually increase from the plurality of first substrates111 toward the plurality of second substrates 120.

In the stretchable display device 400 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of fourthsubstrates 490 are disposed between the plurality of outermost firstsubstrates 111 a and the plurality of second substrates 120. When thestretchable display device 400 is stretched, stress concentrated on theplurality of second substrates 120 and the sixth connection line 486 canbe reduced. Specifically, the plurality of fourth substrates 490 areformed larger than the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a andsmaller than the plurality of second substrates 120. Further, theplurality of fourth substrates 490 are disposed between the plurality ofoutermost first substrates 111 a and the plurality of second substrates120. As such, when the stretchable display device 400 is stretched,stress concentrated on the sixth connection line 486 connected to theplurality of second substrates 120 is dispersed to the fifth connectionline 485. Thus, damage to the plurality of second substrates 120 and thesixth connection line 486 can be reduced by distributing some of thestress that would normally be applied to the sixth connection line 486to the fifth connection line 485.

Further, in the stretchable display device 400 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, the distance DD between theplurality of outermost first substrates 111 a and the plurality offourth substrates 490 is greater than the distance DB between theplurality of first substrates 111. Also, the distance DC between theplurality of fourth substrates 490 and the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 is greater than the distance DD between the plurality ofoutermost first substrates 111 a and the plurality of fourth substrates490. Thus, stress concentrated on the plurality of second substrates 120and the sixth connection line 486 can be reduced by increasing the areabetween the substrates 120, 490, 111. When the stretchable displaydevice 400 is stretched, stress concentrated on the fifth connectionline 485 disposed between the plurality of fourth substrates 490 and theplurality of outermost first substrates 111 a can be reduced due to theincreased area between the fourth substrates 490 and the outermost firstsubstrates 111 a relative to the area between the first substrates 111(corresponding to distance DB). Likewise, the distance DC between theplurality of fourth substrates 490 and the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 is greater than the distance DD between the plurality offourth substrates 490 and the plurality of outermost first substrates111 a. As such, stress concentrated on the plurality of secondsubstrates 120 and the sixth connection line 486 is reduced.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a stretchable displaydevice 500 according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The stretchable display device 500 shown in FIG. 5 issubstantially the same in some respects as the stretchable displaydevice 400 shown in FIG. 4, except for a plurality of fourth substrates590. Therefore, redundant description of similar components will beomitted.

Referring to FIG. 5, the plurality of fourth substrates 590 are smallerthan the plurality of second substrates 120 and larger than theplurality of first substrates 111. In one or more embodiments, a widthW2 of the plurality of fourth substrates 590 in the X-axis direction isequal to a width W1 of the plurality of first substrates 111 in theX-axis direction. However, a height H2 of a fourth substrate 590 in theY-axis direction may be larger than a height H1 of the plurality offirst substrates 111 in the Y-axis direction. As such, the plurality offourth substrates 590 may be larger in size than the plurality of firstsubstrates 111.

In the stretchable display device 500 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, the height of the plurality offourth substrates 590 increases in the Y-axis direction relative to theheight of the first substrates 111 while maintaining the same width asthe first substrates 111. Thus, the non-active area NA of thestretchable display device 500 can be reduced.

If the plurality of fourth substrates 590 are disposed between theplurality of outermost first substrates 111 a and the plurality ofsecond substrates 120, the size or width of the non-active area NA ofthe stretchable display device 500 may increase. If the non-active areaNA increases, a bezel area of the stretchable display device 500 mayincrease. Therefore, in the stretchable display device 500 according toone or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the width W2 of theplurality of fourth substrates 590 in the X-axis direction is equal tothe width W1 of the plurality of first substrates 111 in the X-axisdirection. However, the height H2 of the fourth substrate 590 in theY-axis direction is greater than the height H1 of the plurality of firstsubstrates 111 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, it is possible toreduce the size of the non-active area NA to counteract the increase insize of the non-active area NA in embodiments including the plurality offourth substrates 590. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the bezelarea of the stretchable display device 500 while also includingadditional substrates (e.g., fourth substrates 490) between the firstand second substrates 111, 120.

In some embodiments, the width W2 of the plurality of fourth substrates590 in the X-axis direction is less than the width W1 of the pluralityof first substrates 111 in the X-axis direction to further reduce thebezel area of the stretchable display device 500.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a stretchable displaydevice 600 according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The stretchable display device 600 shown in FIG. 6 issubstantially the same in some respects as the stretchable displaydevice 400 shown in FIG. 4, except for a plurality of fourth substrates690 and a plurality of connection lines 680. Therefore, redundantdescription of similar components will be omitted. The connection lines680 generally include connection lines 181, 182, 184, 485, 486, 687described herein. The plurality of fourth substrates 690 generallyinclude fourth substrates 690 a, 690 b, 690 c described below.

Referring to FIG. 6, the plurality of fourth substrates 690, whichincludes fourth substrates 690 a, 690 b, and 690 c arranged in series,are disposed between the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 aand the plurality of second substrates 120. Specifically, the pluralityof fourth substrates 690 are disposed between one of the plurality ofoutermost first substrates 111 a and one of the plurality of secondsubstrates 120. FIG. 6 illustrates that three fourth substrates 690 aredisposed between one of the plurality of outermost first substrates 111a and one of the plurality of second substrates 120, but the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. Rather, the fourth substrates 690 mayinclude more or less than three substrates 690 between the outermostfirst substrates 111 a and a corresponding second substrate 120 in otherembodiments.

Referring to FIG. 6, the plurality of fourth substrates 690 are smallerthan the plurality of second substrates 120 and larger than theplurality of first substrates 111. However, the present disclosure isnot limited thereto. The plurality of fourth substrates 690 may be equalin size to the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a and smallerthan the plurality of second substrates 120. In yet further embodiments,the plurality of fourth substrates 690 may be larger than the pluralityof outermost first substrates 111 a and equal in size to the pluralityof second substrates 120.

Referring to FIG. 6, the plurality of fourth substrates 690 may beconnected to each other by a seventh connection line 687. Specifically,the seventh connection line 687 may connect the plurality of fourthsubstrates 690 disposed adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction.As shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of fourth substrates 690 are notconnected to each other by a connection line in the y-axis direction, inone or more embodiments. In other embodiments, the plurality of fourthsubstrates 690 include seventh connection lines 687 between the fourthsubstrates 690. The seventh connection line 687 may serve as a gateline, a light signal line or a low-potential power line, but is notlimited thereto. For example, the seventh connection line 687 may serveas a gate line and electrically connect the plurality of fourthsubstrates 690 to each other, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 6, a fourth substrate 690 a is the closest to theplurality of second substrates 120 of the plurality of fourth substrates690. A fourth substrate 690 c is the closest to the plurality ofoutermost first substrates 111 a of the plurality of fourth substrates690 and a fourth substrate 690 b is between the fourth substrates 690 a,690 c. A distance DC between the fourth substrate 690 a and theplurality of second substrates 120 is greater than a distance DD betweenthe fourth substrate 690 c and the plurality of outermost firstsubstrates 111 a.

Referring to FIG. 6, a distance DE between the plurality of fourthsubstrates 690 may be uniform for each set of fourth substrates 690 a,690 b, 690 c. A distance DE1 is a distance between the fourth substrate690 a closest to the plurality of second substrates 120 and the fourthsubstrate 690 b in the middle of the plurality of fourth substrates 690.A distance DE2 is a distance between the fourth substrate 690 c closestto the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a and the fourthsubstrate 690 b in the middle of the plurality of fourth substrates 690.The distance DE1 may be equal to the distance DE2, but is not limitedthereto. For example, the distance DE1 between the fourth substrate 690a and the fourth substrate 690 b may be greater than the distance DE2between the fourth substrate 690 c and the fourth substrate 690 b. Assuch, the distance between the plurality of fourth substrates 690 maygradually increase from the plurality of first substrates 111 toward theplurality of second substrates 120, or the distances DE1 and DE2 may bethe same. In one or more embodiments, the distance D1 is less than thedistance D2 and as such, the distance between the plurality of fourthsubstrates 690 may gradually decrease from the plurality of firstsubstrates 111 toward the plurality of second substrates 120.

In the stretchable display device 600 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of fourthsubstrates 690 are disposed between the plurality of outermost firstsubstrates 111 a and the plurality of second substrates 120. Thus, whenthe stretchable display device 600 is stretched, stress concentrated onthe plurality of second substrates 120 and the sixth connection line 486can be reduced. The plurality of fourth substrates 690 are larger thanthe plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a and smaller than theplurality of second substrates 120. Further, the plurality of fourthsubstrates 690 are disposed between the plurality of outermost firstsubstrates 111 a and the plurality of second substrates 120. As such,when the stretchable display device 600 is stretched, stressconcentrated on the sixth connection line 486 connected to the pluralityof second substrates 120 having the largest size is dispersed to theplurality of fourth substrates 690, the seventh connection line 687, andthe fifth connection line 485. Thus, the likelihood of damage to theplurality of second substrates 120 and the sixth connection line 486 canbe reduced.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a stretchable displaydevice 700 according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The stretchable display device 700 shown in FIG. 7 issubstantially the same in some respects as the stretchable displaydevice 600 shown in FIG. 6, except for a plurality of fourth substrates790. Therefore, redundant description of similar components will beomitted. The plurality of fourth substrates 790 generally include fourthsubstrates 790 a and 790 c described herein.

Referring to FIG. 7, the plurality of fourth substrates 790 are disposedbetween the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a and theplurality of second substrates 120. Specifically, the plurality offourth substrates 790 are disposed between one of the plurality ofoutermost first substrates 111 a and a corresponding one of theplurality of second substrates 120. FIG. 7 illustrates that two fourthsubstrates 790 are disposed between one of the plurality of outermostfirst substrates 111 a and one of the plurality of second substrates120, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 7, the plurality of fourth substrates 790 are smallerthan the plurality of second substrates 120 and larger than theplurality of first substrates 111. However, the present disclosure isnot limited thereto. The plurality of fourth substrates 790 may be equalin size to the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a and smallerthan the plurality of second substrates 120. The plurality of fourthsubstrates 790 may also be larger than the plurality of outermost firstsubstrates 111 a and equal to the plurality of second substrates 120.

The plurality of fourth substrates 790 may increase in size towards theplurality of second substrates 120. A fourth substrate 790 a is theclosest to the plurality of second substrates 120 of the plurality offourth substrates 790 and a fourth substrate 790 c is the closest to theplurality of outermost first substrates 111 a of the plurality of fourthsubstrates 790. The fourth substrate 790 a may be larger than the fourthsubstrate 790 c. For example, the fourth substrate 790 a has a width W1in the x-direction that is greater than a width W2 of the fourthsubstrates 790 c in the x-direction. A width W3 of the second substrates120 may be greater than the width W2 or W1. The width of the firstsubstrates 111 is the same as the width W2 of the fourth substrate 790 cin one or more embodiments. Thus, the substrates disposed in thestretchable display device 700 may sequentially decrease in size, andmore particularly, width, from the plurality of second substrates 120 tothe plurality of first substrates 111. However, the present disclosureis not limited thereto. The plurality of fourth substrates 790 may beequal in size to each other.

A height H2 of the fourth substrate 790 c may be greater than a heightH1 of the fourth substrate 790 a, which is the same as the height of thefirst substrates 111 and the second substrates 120. As such, each of thesubstrates 120, 790, and 111 may have the same height, except for thefourth substrate 790 c, which has a height greater than the remainingsubstrates 120, 790, 111.

In the stretchable display device 700 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of fourthsubstrates 790 disposed between the plurality of outermost firstsubstrates 111 a and the plurality of second substrates 120 increase insize towards the plurality of second substrates 120. Thus, when thestretchable display device 700 is stretched, stress concentrated on theplurality of second substrates 120 and the sixth connection line 486 canbe reduced. Specifically, the plurality of fourth substrates 790 arelarger than the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a andsmaller than the plurality of second substrates 120 and disposed betweenthe plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a and the plurality ofsecond substrates 120. As such, when the stretchable display device 700is stretched, stress concentrated on the sixth connection line 486connected to the plurality of second substrates 120 having the largestsize is dispersed to the plurality of fourth substrates 790, the seventhconnection line 687, and the fifth connection line 485. Thus, thelikelihood of damage to the plurality of second substrates 120 and thesixth connection line 486 can be reduced.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a stretchable displaydevice 800 according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The stretchable display device 800 shown in FIG. 8 issubstantially the same in some respects as the stretchable displaydevice 100 shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, except for a plurality ofsecond substrates 820 and a plurality of connection lines 880.Therefore, redundant description of similar components will be omitted.The plurality of fourth substrates 820 generally include fourthsubstrates 820 a, 820 b described herein. The plurality of connectionlines 880 generally include connection lines 181, 182, 183, 884, 888described herein.

Referring to FIG. 8, each gate driver GD includes a first gate driverGD1 and a second gate driver GD2. The first gate driver GD1 and thesecond gate driver GD2 may constitute a single stage of a gate driverGD, in one or more embodiments. That is, various circuit componentsconstituting a single stage may be distributed and disposed in the firstgate driver GD1 and the second gate driver GD2.

Each of the plurality of second substrates 820 includes a plurality ofsubstrate portions 820 a and 820 b (which may be referred to herein as aplurality of sub-substrates 820 a and 820 b). The gate driver GD may bemounted on each of the plurality of sub-substrates 820 a and 820 b. Forexample, the first gate driver GD1 is mounted on the sub-substrate 820 adisposed in the outermost region of the non-active area NA. The secondgate driver GD2 is mounted on the sub-substrate 820 b closest to theplurality of outermost first substrates 111 a.

The plurality of sub-substrates 820 a and 820 b may be formed equal insize to each other. Herein, each of the plurality of sub-substrates 820a and 820 b may be equal in size to the plurality of first substrates111. Further, FIG. 8 illustrates that the plurality of second substrates820 includes the two sub-substrates 820 a and 820 b. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 8, a distance DF between the plurality ofsub-substrates 820 a and 820 b may be equal to the distance DB betweenthe plurality of first substrates 111. Specifically, the distance DFbetween two adjacent sub-substrates of the plurality of sub-substrates820 a and 820 b may be equal to the distance DB between two adjacentfirst substrates 111 of the plurality of first substrates 111. Further,a distance DA is a distance between the sub-substrate 820 b and theplurality of outermost first substrates 111 a. The distance DA may beequal to the distance DF between the plurality of sub-substrates 820 aand 820 b. That is, the distance DF between two adjacent sub-substratesof the plurality of sub-substrates 820 a and 820 b, the distance DAbetween the sub-substrate 820 b and the plurality of outermost firstsubstrates 111 a, and the distance DB between the plurality of firstsubstrates 111 may be equal to each other.

The stretchable display device 800 may further include an eighthconnection line 888. The eighth connection line 888 may connectsub-substrates of the plurality of second substrates 820 disposedadjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. The eighth connectionline 888 serves to connect the first gate driver GD1 in thesub-substrate 820 a disposed in the outermost region of the non-activearea NA to the second gate driver GD2 in the sub-substrate 820 b closestto the plurality of outermost first substrates 111 a.

In the stretchable display device 800 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of secondsubstrates 820 includes the plurality of sub-substrates 820 a and 820 b.Thus, when the stretchable display device 800 is stretched, stressconcentrated on the plurality of second substrates 820 and the thirdconnection line 183 can be reduced because the stress is distributed tomultiple sub-substrates instead of a single second substrate 820.Specifically, the plurality of second substrates 820 include theplurality of sub-substrates 820 a and 820 b, which are equal in size tothe plurality of first substrates 111. Also, the distance between theplurality of first substrates 111 disposed in the lower substrate 110and the distance between the plurality of sub-substrates 820 a and 820 bmay be equal to each other. Therefore, in the stretchable display device800 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, itis possible to suppress the concentration of stress on the largestsubstrates and lines connecting thereto. Such concentration is caused bya difference in size between substrates disposed in the lower substrate110. Accordingly, when the stretchable display device 800 is stretched,stress concentrated on the plurality of second substrates 820 and thethird connection line 183 can be reduced. Thus, the likelihood of damageto the plurality of second substrates 820 and the third connection line183 can be minimized.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a stretchable displaydevice 900 according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The stretchable display device 900 shown in FIG. 9 issubstantially the same in some respects as the stretchable displaydevice 100 shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 except for a plurality ofconnection supports CS' (which may also be referred to herein as aplurality of third substrates CS′). Therefore, redundant description ofsimilar components will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 9, the plurality of third substrates CS' includes atleast a pair of third substrates CS' symmetrical to each other. In oneor more embodiments, three third substrates CS' are disposed between theplurality of first substrates 111, between the plurality of secondsubstrates 120, and between the plurality of first substrates 111 andthe plurality of second substrates 120. As such, a third substrate CS′aand a third substrate CS′b adjacent to the third substrate CS′a may bewaved in the same direction. In other words, the third substrates CS′aand CS′b may have the same sine wave shape. Further, the third substrateCS′b and a third substrate CS′c of the plurality of third substrates CS'may be waved symmetrically to each other. In other words, the thirdsubstrate CS′c may have a wave shape that is inverted relative to thethird substrates CS′a and CS′b. As such, troughs of the wave shape ofthe third substrate CS′c align with peaks of the wave shape of the thirdsubstrates CS′a and CS′b in a mirrored configuration. FIG. 9 illustratesthree third substrates CS′. However, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto.

When a stretchable display device is stretched, stress is concentratedon the edges of a plurality of first substrates and a plurality ofsecond substrates. If a plurality of third substrates and connectionlines are disposed and waved in the same direction, at least one of theplurality of third substrates may be disposed adjacent to the edges ofthe plurality of first substrates and the plurality of secondsubstrates. Thus, when the stretchable display device is stretched,stress is concentrated on the plurality of third substrates and theconnection lines disposed in the plurality of first substrates and theplurality of second substrates. Therefore, the plurality of thirdsubstrates and the connection lines may be susceptible to damage.

However, in the stretchable display device 900 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, at least a pair of thirdsubstrates CS′b and CS′c of the plurality of third substrates CS' aredisposed symmetrically to each other, or are mirror images of eachother. Thus, the number of the third substrates CS' and the connectionlines 180 disposed on the edges of the plurality of first substrates 111and the plurality of second substrates 120 can be reduced, which reducesthe likelihood of damage to the plurality of third substrates CS' andthe connection lines 180.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a sub-pixel ofa stretchable display device 1000 according to one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure. The stretchable display device 1000 shown inFIG. 10 is substantially the same in some respects as the stretchabledisplay device 100 shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, except for an organiclight-emitting diode (OLED) 1060. Therefore, redundant description ofsimilar components will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 10, the OLED 1060 is disposed corresponding to each ofthe plurality of sub-pixels SPX and emits light in a specific wavelengthrange. That is, the OLED 1060 may be a blue OLED that emits blue light,a red OLED that emits red light, a green OLED that emits green light, ora white OLED that emits white light, but is not limited thereto. If theOLED 1060 is a white OLED, the stretchable display device 1000 mayfurther include a color filter.

The OLED 1060 includes an anode 1061, an organic emission layer 1062,and a cathode 1063. Specifically, the anode 1061 is disposed on theovercoating or planarizing layer 115. The anode 1061 is an electrodeconfigured to supply holes into the organic emission layer 1062. Theanode 1061 may be formed of a transparent conductive material havinghigh work function. The transparent conductive material may includeindium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), and indium tin zincoxide (ITZO), among others. The anode 1061 may be formed of the samematerial as the data pad 173 and the gate pad 171 disposed on theovercoating layer 115, but is not limited thereto. Further, if thestretchable display device 1000 is of top-emission type, the anode 1061may further include a reflective plate.

The anode 1061 is disposed spaced from each sub-pixel SPX and iselectrically connected to the transistor 150 through the contact hole inthe overcoating layer 115. For example, FIG. 10 illustrates that theanode 1061 is electrically connected to the drain electrode 154 of thetransistor 150, but the anode 1061 may be electrically connected to thesource electrode 153 in other embodiments.

The bank 116 is formed on the anode 1061, the data pad 173, theintermediate pad 172, and the overcoating layer 115. The bank 116separates adjacent sub-pixels SPX from each other. The bank 116 isdisposed to cover at least a portion of both sides of the adjacent anode1061 and exposes a portion of an upper surface of the anode 1061. Thebank 116 may serve to suppress light emission of unintended sub-pixelsSPX or color mixing which occurs when light is emitted from the sides ofthe anode 1061 due to concentration of current on the edges of the anode1061. The bank 116 may be formed of acryl-based resin, benzocyclobutene(BCB)-based resin, or PI, but is not limited thereto.

The bank 116 includes a contact hole for connecting the connection line180 serving as a data line and the data pad 173 and a contact hole forconnecting the connection line 180 serving as a gate line and theintermediate pad 172.

The organic emission layer 1062 is disposed on the anode 1061. Theorganic emission layer 1062 is configured to emit light. The organicemission layer 1062 may contain a light-emitting material, and thelight-emitting material may include a phosphorescent material or afluorescent material, but is not limited thereto.

The organic emission layer 1062 may be formed as a single emissionlayer. Otherwise, the organic emission layer 1062 may have a stackstructure in which a plurality of emission layers laminated on eachother with a charge generation layer interposed therebetween. Further,the organic emission layer 1062 may further include at least one organiclayer of a hole transport layer, an electron transport layer, a holeblock layer, an electron block layer, a hole injection layer, and anelectron injection layer.

Referring to FIG. 10, the cathode 1063 is disposed on the organicemission layer 1062. The cathode 1063 is configured to supply electronsinto the organic emission layer 1062. The cathode 1063 may be formed ofa transparent conductive oxide such as ITO, IZO, ITZO, zinc oxide (ZnO),and tin oxide (TO) or an ytterbium (Yb) alloy. Otherwise, the cathode1063 may be formed of a metal material.

The cathode 1063 may be patterned to overlap each of the plurality offirst substrates 111. In other words, the cathode 1063 may be formedonly in a region corresponding to the plurality of first substrates 111and may not be formed in a region between the plurality of firstsubstrates 111. The cathode 1063 is formed of a transparent conductiveoxide, a metal material, or the like. Thus, if the cathode 1063 isformed between the plurality of first substrates 111, the cathode 1063may be susceptible to damage while the stretchable display device 1000is stretched. Thus, the cathode 1063 may be formed so as to correspondto each of the plurality of first substrates 111. Referring to FIG. 10,the cathode 1063 may be formed in the region overlapping the pluralityof first substrates 111 so as not to overlap the connection lines 180.

Unlike known organic light-emitting display devices, the stretchabledisplay device 1000 according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure includes the cathodes 1063 patterned corresponding to theplurality of first substrates 111. Therefore, the cathodes 1063respectively disposed on the plurality of first substrates 111 can beindependently supplied with low-potential power through the connectionlines 180.

Referring to FIG. 10, an encapsulation layer 1017 is disposed on theOLED 1060. The encapsulation layer 1017 covers the OLED 1060 and is incontact with a portion of an upper surface of the bank 116 and thusseals the OLED 1060. Thus, the encapsulation layer 1017 protects theOLED 1060 against permeation of moisture or air from the outside orphysical impacts.

The encapsulation layer 1017 covers the cathodes 1063 patterned tooverlap the plurality of first substrates 111, respectively, and may beformed for each of the plurality of first substrates 111. That is, theencapsulation layer 1017 may be disposed to cover a single cathode 1063disposed on a single first substrate 111, and the encapsulation layers1017 disposed on the respective first substrates 111 may be spaced apartfrom each other.

The encapsulation layer 1017 may be formed only in the regionoverlapping the plurality of first substrates 111. As described above,the encapsulation layer 1017 may include an inorganic layer. Therefore,the encapsulation layer 1017 may be susceptible to damage, such ascracks, when the stretchable display device 1000 is stretched.Particularly, since the OLED 1060 is vulnerable to moisture or oxygen,if the encapsulation layer 1017 is damaged, the reliability of the OLED1060 may be reduced. Therefore, in the stretchable display device 1000according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, theencapsulation layer 1017 is not formed in the region between theplurality of first substrates 111. Thus, even when the stretchabledisplay device 1000 is deformed by bending or stretching, it is possibleto minimize damage to the encapsulation layer 1017.

FIG. 11A through FIG. 11C are images respectively illustratingsimulations of stress in stretchable display devices according to aComparative Example and one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Specifically, FIG. 11A illustrates a simulation of stresswhich is generated when a stretchable display device according to theComparative Example is stretched. FIG. 11B illustrates a simulation ofstress which is generated when the stretchable display device 100according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure isstretched. FIG. 11C illustrates a simulation of stress which isgenerated when the stretchable display device 400 according toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure is stretched.

In FIG. 11A through FIG. 11C, the amounts of stress are expressed bycolor based on middle points P1, P2, and P3 between first substrates 11and 111 and second substrates 20 and 120, respectively. The middlepoints P1, P2, and P3 are set as reference points for stress. Also,stress values Pa corresponding to the respective colors are shown on theright bar for comparison.

In FIG. 11A through FIG. 11C, a solid-line portion denotes theconfiguration before stretching, and a dashed line portion denotes theconfiguration after stretching with a stretch rate of 20% in the Y-axisdirection. Therefore, in FIG. 11A, if a distance between the firstsubstrate 11 and the second substrate 20 before stretching is A, adistance B between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 20after stretching is 1.2 A. Further, in FIG. 11B, if a distance betweenthe first substrate 111 and the second substrate 120 before stretchingis X, a distance Y between the first substrate 111 and the secondsubstrate 120 after stretching is 1.2 X. In FIG. 11C, X and Y are notshown. However, the distance between the first substrate 111 and thesecond substrate 120 before stretching in FIG. 11B is equal to adistance between the first substrate 111 and the second substrate 120before stretching in FIG. 11C. Also, the distance between the firstsubstrate 111 and the second substrate 120 after stretching in FIG. 11Bis equal to a distance between the first substrate 111 and the secondsubstrate 120 after stretching in FIG. 11C.

In FIG. 11A through FIG. 11C, the first substrates 11 and 111, thesecond substrates 20 and 120, the third substrate CS, and the fourthsubstrate 490 are formed of PI and have a thickness of 6 μm. Also, it isassumed that lines made of copper (Cu) are formed to a thickness of 5000Å on the first substrates 11 and 111, the second substrates 20 and 120,the third substrate CS, and the fourth substrate 490 in a similar mannerto the connection lines 180 and 480.

In FIG. 11A through FIG. 11C, the reference numerals for the firstsubstrates 11 and 111, the second substrates 20 and 120, the thirdsubstrate CS, and the fourth substrate 490 are added with an apostrophe(′) to denote the stretched configuration.

In FIG. 11A through FIG. 11C, the first substrates 11 and 111 are equalin size to each other, and the second substrates 20 and 120 are alsoequal in size to each other. Herein, an X-axis directional width D and aY-axis directional width E of the first substrates 11 and 111 are equalto each other. Further, the Y-axis directional width E of the firstsubstrates 11 and 111 is equal to a Y-axis direction width E of thesecond substrates 20 and 120. However, an X-axis direction width C ofthe second substrates 20 and 120 is nine times greater than the X-axisdirectional width D of the first substrates 11 and 111.

In the stretchable display device 100 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 11B, X denotes adistance between the first substrate 111 and the second substrate 120.In the stretchable display device according to the Comparative Exampleshown in FIG. 11A, B denotes a distance between the first substrate 11and the second substrate 20. The distance X is seven times greater thanthe distance B. In FIG. 11C, X and Y are not shown. However, a distancebetween the first substrate 111 and the second substrate 120 in thestretchable display device 400 according to alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure shown in FIG. 11C is also seven times greaterthan the distance B.

In the stretchable display device 400 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 11C, if an X-axisdirectional width of the fourth substrate 490 is 1, a distance M betweenthe fourth substrate 490 and the first substrate 111 is equal to 2.Also, a distance L between the fourth substrate 490 and the secondsubstrate 120 is equal to 4.

First, FIG. 11A shows that when the stretchable display device accordingto the Comparative Example is stretched, very high stress of about 7×10⁵Pa is generated on the second substrate 20′. Also, FIG. 11A shows thatvery high stress is also generated on the connection substrate CS'adjacent to the second substrate 20′.

Next, referring to FIG. 11B, the distance between the first substrate111 and the second substrate 120 in the stretchable display device 100according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is seventimes greater than the distance between the first substrate 11 and thesecond substrate 20 in the stretchable display device according to theComparative Example. Thus, FIG. 11B shows that when the stretchabledisplay device 100 is stretched, stress of about 5×10⁵ Pa is generatedon the second substrate 120′. Also, FIG. 11B shows that stress similarin amount to the stress on the second substrate 120′ is also generatedon the connection substrate CS' adjacent to the second substrate 120′.Therefore, much lower stress is generated in the stretchable displaydevice 100 according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure than in the stretchable display device according to theComparative Example.

Next, referring to FIG. 11C, the distance between the first substrate111 and the second substrate 120 in the stretchable display device 400according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is seventimes greater than the distance between the first substrate 11 and thesecond substrate 20 in the stretchable display device according to theComparative Example. Further, the fourth substrate 490 is added betweenthe first substrate 111 and the second substrate 120. Thus, FIG. 11Cshows that when the stretchable display device 400 is stretched, stressof about 3×10⁵ Pa is generated on the second substrate 120′. Also, FIG.11C shows that stress similar in amount to the stress on the secondsubstrate 120′ is also generated on the connection substrate CS'adjacent to the second substrate 120′. Therefore, much lower stress isgenerated in the stretchable display device 400 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure than in the stretchable displaydevice according to the Comparative Example.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedin detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto and may be embodied in many differentforms without departing from the technical concept of the presentdisclosure. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure areprovided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limitthe technical concept of the present disclosure. The scope of thetechnical concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodimentsare illustrative in all aspects and do not limit the present disclosure.The protective scope of the present disclosure should be construed basedon the following claims, and all the technical concepts in theequivalent scope thereof should be construed as falling within the scopeof the present disclosure.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. These and other changes can be made to theembodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, inthe following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limitthe claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specificationand the claims, but should be construed to include all possibleembodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by thedisclosure.

1. A stretchable display device, comprising: a support substrateincluding an active area and a non-active area; a plurality of firstsubstrates on the support substrate in the active area; a plurality ofsecond substrates on the support substrate in the non-active area; and aplurality of connection supports coupled to each of the plurality offirst substrates and each of the plurality of second substrates.
 2. Thestretchable display device of claim 1, wherein a distance between anouter one of the plurality of first substrates and a corresponding oneof the plurality of second substrates is greater than a distance betweenthe outer one of the plurality of first substrates and an inner one ofthe plurality of first substrates.
 3. The stretchable display device ofclaim 1, further comprising: a plurality of third substrates disposed onthe support substrate in the non-active area, each of the plurality ofthird substrates connected to one of the plurality of second substratesand one of the plurality of first substrates by at least one of theplurality of connection supports.
 4. The stretchable display device ofclaim 3, wherein a distance between one of the plurality of secondsubstrates and a corresponding one of the plurality of third substratesis greater than a distance between the corresponding one of theplurality of third substrates and a corresponding one of the pluralityof first substrates.
 5. The stretchable display device of claim 3,wherein a width of each of the plurality of third substrates is equal toa width of each of the plurality of first substrates and less than awidth of each of the plurality of second substrates.
 6. The stretchabledisplay device of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of thirdsubstrates, a first one of the plurality of third substrates coupled toone of the plurality of second substrates by at least one of theplurality of connection supports, a second one of the plurality of thirdsubstrates connected to the first one of the plurality of thirdsubstrates by at least one of the plurality of connection supports, anda third one of the plurality of third substrates connected to the secondone of the plurality of third substrates by at least one of theplurality of connection supports, the third one of the plurality ofthird substrates connected to one of the plurality of first substratesby at least one connection support of the plurality of connectionsupports.
 7. The stretchable display device of claim 6, wherein adistance between one of the plurality of second substrates and the firstone of the plurality of third substrates is greater than a distancebetween the second one and the third one of the plurality of thirdsubstrates.
 8. The stretchable display device of claim 7, wherein thedistance between the first one and the second one of the plurality ofthird substrates is greater than a distance between a first one of theplurality of first substrates and a second one of the plurality of firstsubstrates.
 9. The stretchable display device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a plurality of third substrates, the plurality of thirdsubstrates connected to corresponding ones of the plurality of firstsubstrates and the plurality of second substrates with the plurality ofconnection supports, wherein a first one of the plurality of thirdsubstrates has a first width and a second one of the plurality of thirdsubstrates has a second width less than the first width.
 10. Thestretchable display device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofsecond substrates includes a first portion spaced from a second portion,at least one of the plurality of connection supports connected to thefirst portion and the second portion, the stretchable display devicefurther comprising: a first gate driver on the first portion; and asecond gate driver on the second portion.
 11. The stretchable displaydevice of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first substratesincludes a transistor, a planarizing layer on the transistor, and a padon the planarizing layer connected to the transistor, the stretchabledisplay device further comprising: a connection line on each of theplurality of connection supports, wherein the connection line of one ofthe plurality of connection supports is coupled to the pad of a firstone and a second one of the plurality of first substrates, the pluralityof connection supports being elastic.
 12. A stretchable display device,comprising: a support substrate including an active area and anon-active area; a plurality of first substrates on the supportsubstrate in the active area; a plurality of second substrates on thesupport substrate in the non-active area; and a plurality of connectionsupports coupled to the plurality of first substrates and the pluralityof second substrates, the plurality of connection supports beingelastic.
 13. The stretchable display device of claim 12, furthercomprising: a plurality of connection lines on the plurality ofconnection supports.
 14. The stretchable display device of claim 13,wherein the plurality of first substrates are electrically connected tothe plurality of second substrates via the plurality of connection lineson the plurality of connection supports.
 15. The stretchable displaydevice of claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of third substratesdisposed on the support substrate in the non-active area, the pluralityof third substrates connected to the plurality of first substrates andto the plurality of second substrates by the plurality of connectionsupports.
 16. A stretchable display device, comprising: a supportsubstrate including an active area and a non-active area; a plurality offirst substrates on the support substrate in the active area; aplurality of second substrates on the support substrate in thenon-active area; a plurality of connection supports coupled to theplurality of first substrates and the plurality of second substrates;and a plurality of connection lines on the plurality of connectionsupports.
 17. The stretchable display device of claim 16, wherein theplurality of first substrates are electrically connected to theplurality of second substrates via the plurality of connection lines onthe plurality of connection supports.
 18. The stretchable display deviceof claim 16, wherein the plurality of connection supports are elastic.19. The stretchable display device of claim 16, further comprising: aplurality of third substrates disposed on the support substrate in thenon-active area, a distance between one of the plurality of thirdsubstrates and a corresponding one of the plurality of second substratesbeing different than a distance between the one of the plurality ofthird substrates and a corresponding one of the plurality of firstsubstrates.